China unveils final version of generative AI rules

China has released official guidelines for generative artificial intelligence services, marking one of the world’s first major steps in regulating advanced technologies.
The rules issued by the China Cyberspace Administration, the country’s top internet regulator, are scheduled to come into effect on August 15, according to an official statement on Thursday. Article 24 provisions include requiring platform providers to conduct security audits and register their services with the government, as stipulated in a draft published in April. The final guidelines stipulate that offshore providers of generative AI tools must comply with a rulebook if they target residents of China. On the other hand, tools developed in China that are only intended for international users are exempt from the guidelines.
“This means there are more opportunities for enterprise applications and people are more cautious when it comes to consumer entrepreneurship,” said Francis Du, founding partner of J Ventures. Stated.
The guidelines also stipulate fines of up to RMB 100,000 (US$14,000) for violators, and require platformers to act within a three-month grace period to correct problematic content. from the draft. In addition, agencies such as the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Science and Technology have been named as co-issuers of the regulation, encouraging developers of China’s AI chips, models, and software to help develop AI. There is also an article that encourages We are also working on the establishment of international standards and technical exchanges. The move comes after months of talks between government and industry officials. Chinese internet giants Alibaba Group Holding Co., Ltd. Baidu Inc. and JD.com Inc. have embarked on a nationwide development equivalent to OpenAI’s ChatGPT. China’s regulation of emerging sectors will serve as a model for the orderly development of AI and the proliferation of AI as a service to businesses and consumers.
After the draft regulation, legal experts expressed concern that the primary responsibility for managing AI content lay with platform operators. As China tries to catch up and overtake the U.S. in a core strategic rivalry, there are concerns that overly stringent regulations could limit the industry’s development.
Yu Chuanman, director of the IIA’s Center for Regulation and Global Governance at the Chinese University of Hong Kong’s Shenzhen campus, said the final version of the regulation removes details of grace periods and adds a stronger focus for greater flexibility. said it seems About fund development.
“A clear deadline of three months can be a daunting challenge,” You said. “Overall, there are a number of additions to the provisions that facilitate development and a strong focus on the use of existing legal instruments.”